The New Orleans Pelicans have had a rough season, to say the least. Despite having a talented roster, they were unable to live up to expectations and ended up with one of their worst seasons ever. But just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse for the Pelicans, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton has shed light on some unfortunate offseason moves that could make next year even more painful for the team.
In his recent article for ESPN, Pelton delved into the most unfortunate offseason moves made by various teams in the NBA. And unfortunately for the Pelicans, they received an unflattering grade for their moves.
Let’s start with the departure of Jrue Holiday. Holiday has been a key player for the Pelicans for the past seven seasons and was a crucial part of their success. However, in a surprising move, the Pelicans traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks for a package that included Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. While Bledsoe and Hill are both solid players, they are not on the same level as Holiday. Pelton gave this move a D+ grade, stating that the Pelicans could have gotten a better return for a player of Holiday’s caliber.
But that’s not all. The Pelicans also let go of Derrick Favors, who was a reliable big man for them. Favors was a crucial part of the Pelicans’ defense, and his departure leaves a huge void in the team’s frontcourt. Pelton gave this move a C- grade, stating that the Pelicans did not adequately replace Favors and his departure could have a significant impact on their defense.
And then there’s the case of Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans were able to re-sign Ingram to a five-year, $158 million contract, which is a significant investment. However, Pelton gave this move a C grade, stating that while Ingram is a talented player, the Pelicans may have overpaid for him. This could potentially limit their flexibility in the future, making it difficult for them to make necessary roster changes.
But perhaps the most concerning move for the Pelicans was their decision to not re-sign veteran guard, E’Twaun Moore. Moore was a valuable contributor off the bench for the Pelicans, and his departure leaves a void in their backcourt. Pelton gave this move a D grade, stating that the Pelicans could have used Moore’s experience and shooting ability.
So, what does all of this mean for the Pelicans? Well, according to Pelton, it’s not looking good. He gave the Pelicans an overall grade of D for their offseason moves, stating that they have not done enough to improve their roster and could potentially struggle next season.
But despite the negative outlook, there is still hope for the Pelicans. They still have a talented core of players, including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball. And with the addition of promising rookie, Kira Lewis Jr., the Pelicans could surprise us all next season.
It’s also worth noting that the Pelicans have a new head coach in Stan Van Gundy, who has a proven track record of success in the NBA. Van Gundy’s experience and coaching style could be just what the Pelicans need to turn things around.
In conclusion, while the Pelicans may have received an unflattering grade for their offseason moves, there is still hope for the team. With a talented core of players and a new head coach, the Pelicans have the potential to bounce back and have a successful season. Let’s not count them out just yet, and let’s see what they can do on the court next year.
